looking for something to provide a feeling akin to the luscious afterglow of an intense 5-MeO-DMT trip directed a friend to feed water laced with arguably the most potent psychedelic to magic mushrooms as they grew. If the group was lucky, the process would produce psilomethoxin, a psychedelic discovered in 1965 by experimental chemists in Paris but never preserved.
Introducing Ian Benouis: From Military Service to Healing Advocate
In this riveting episode of our podcast, we’re honored to host Ian Benouis, a man whose journey spans military service, activism, and a profound dedication to healing.
A West Point graduate and former US Army officer, Ian’s path led him through the rigors of combat as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and combat veteran, leaving an indelible mark on his life.
Ian’s narrative takes a remarkable turn as he emerges as Patient Number One for the pioneering Mission Within initiative.
Through his own experiences battling PTSD and TBI, he discovered the healing potential of iboga and toad medicine. For over 8 years, he’s extended his hand to fellow wounded veterans, helping them navigate the path of recovery.
Beyond his service, Ian’s life journey embodies an eclectic mix of roles and experiences. As a veteran panel moderator at events like the MAPS Psychedelic Science conference and Bufo Congress, he’s been at the forefront of discussions surrounding the intersection of psychedelics and healing.
His advocacy goes deeper, with his involvement in founding ONAC and Santo Daime church chapters.
Having participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Ian’s worldly experiences are matched by his connection to nature and sacred plants, nurtured during his upbringing in Hawaii.
This background in ethnobotany blends with his diverse career, which includes being a former pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer and a seasoned intellectual property attorney in the corporate world.
Ian’s activism extends to his role as a political advocate for cannabis and natural plant medicine. His legacy as the former Chairman of the Board for a public policy foundation in Texas underscores his commitment to creating positive change.
Listeners will be intrigued to learn that Ian’s journey has been featured in Spike Jonze’s Stoned Vets on Weediquette, and he’s also been instrumental in documentaries like Soldiers of the Vine and From Shock to Awe.
Tune in to hear Ian Benouis share his unique perspective on healing, military service, and the powerful potential of plant medicine.
Join us as we delve into his transformative experiences, his advocacy for holistic recovery, and his unwavering dedication to supporting those who’ve served.
Connect with Ian Benouis: Instagram: @ianbenouis Twitter: @ianbenouis LinkedIn: Ian Benouis Website: http://www.psychedelicmusalman.com
Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with Ian Benouis, where we explore his multifaceted journey from military service to advocating for holistic healing and plant medicine.
This is a 26 minute long audio piece and over 4.000 words written version by Mattha Busby a freelance journalist who wrote this article for Vice and attended our Entheogenesis event to report on our church.
Today’s guest is the awesome Ian Benouis, former West Point graduate, US Army officer, Blackhawk helicopter pilot, and combat veteran. Ian is now a civil rights lawyer fighting for religious exemptions for churches using psychedelics as a sacrament and the founder of the Church of Psilomethoxin.
He is Patient Number One at the Mission Within which treats special operators with PTSD, TBI and addiction using iboga and Bufo in Mexico. Ian has been helping wounded veterans for over 9 years. Listen as we discuss the legal obstacles facing religious organizations attaining exemptions for psychedelics sacraments, the unique synthesis of psilomethoxin, and musings on where the war on drugs is headed.
Ian Benouis, Co-Founder, Church of Psilomethoxin
Greg Fonzo, Co-Director, Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin
Alex Dominguez, Texas State Representative
Amy Rising, Veteran Healthcare Advocate
Ethan Rocke, Journalist (moderator)
Ian Benouis is a West Point graduate, former Army officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot who participated in Operation Just Cause in the Republic of Panama.
He is patient number one, General Counsel at the Mission Within spearheading the veterans treatment program where over 350 Navy SEALS and other special operators have been successfully treated with iboga and toad (5-meo-dmt) for PTSD, addiction and TBI.
Phil is a former jailer and police officer in Texas for 13 years who found natural healing through yoga, cannabis and other earth medicines. We cover PTSD, suicide, childhood trauma, the War on Drugs, asset forfeiture, police reform and funding, and what needs to change in Texas and nationally going forward to reclaim our country. […]
When a soldier brings back trauma from the battlefield, there’s no single reliable way to help them integrate back into society. Everybody needs a different approach. For Ian Benouis, he rediscovered the power of plant medicines after his exit from the military and as he was working his way through law school. It led him on a path to introduce other veterans to plant medicines by organizing trips for them and as a lawyer activist working with a number of plant medicine organizations and churches.
Dave and Jason are combat veterans and twenty plus year career soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan respectively and then after retiring received medical disability for their service.
They are both advocates and activists in Texas for natural healing with cannabis and other psychedelic medicines.
Dave and Jason share their personal healing journeys, insights and visions in to the decriminalization, medicalization and legalization of cannabis and entheogens in Texas and nationally.
Sam is a combat veteran who served two tours of duty as a marine in Afghanistan in the Helmand province, the center of worldwide opium production.
He went to Peru for an ayahuasca dieta and Mexico for other medicines.
Sam talks about his personal healing journey and how he would like to see the medicines available and integrated in to society. He offers a vision for veteran healing using the National Park System.
Ian Benouis 